Tag Archives: Suffolk

Ipswich VC had 3 club members travel to Chelmsford with the hope to gain their level 4 refereeing qualification on Saturday 25th November 2017.

The course was tutored by Sebastian Widlarz who is the number 2 referee in English volleyball and has refereed at international level and now even introduced new rules and protocols to the sport.

Lukas Kundrotas, Everita Sokolova and Kev Abbott attended from Ipswich, along with 13 people from Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Essex. Other Suffolk clubs had players attending also included fellow Ipswich Club Ipswich Ravens and Newmarket.

All 3 Ipswich players passed their referee exam and now hold their level 4 qualification, they join only a handful of volleyball players in Suffolk to currently hold that qualification.

If you have an interest in gaining a refereeing or coaching qualification please email our club secretary who can advise you of the best way of achieving it.

Ipswich Men’s Volleyball team left the Friday night drinks alone and made the trip to Strawbridgeworth, Heartfordshire for their second match in the Essex League.

The Stortford Stags were playing host to Ipswich Men, Ipswich took a 3 – 0 win last weekend against Southend and Ipswich were keen to continue their run of form.

Ipswich started off quiet with the scores showing an even match between the two teams, but the away team began to settle and built momentum taking the lead after some impressive hitting through the middle, the hard work giving them a 6 point advantage and most importantly confidence.
The team found their rhythm and with a great serving run from number 15 Michael Bigg, took the first set 25-17.

Ugis Miltināns hitting through the middle for Ipswich

Bishop Stortford started the second set well giving Ipswich a tough time, both teams matching each other point for point. The set then saw same strong blocking from middle player Ugis Miltinans helping take the score to 11-7. Ipswich started working as a team pulling away 20-11. Bishop Stortford fought hard and bought the score to 22-16. Kev Abbott hitting a great line shot to continue Ipswich’s lead leaving Chris Watson with the next serve. Chris served an ace followed by another strong serve to take another set 25-16.

Kev Abbott hitting down the line to make the score 23 – 16 to Ipswich.

The Stags were not defeated and continued fighting as a team with some great communication. Great hitting and blocking from Ipswich’s middle players Ugis and Rob took the score to 10-5. Kev Abbott stayed sharp blocking a tricky dumped ball from the oppositions setter to continue Ipswich’s lead to 15-7.

This was followed with some well worked play between the setter Chris Watson and middle player Rob Negus, taking it to 20-9.

The end of the set saw some powerful serving from Lukas Kundrotas, finishing with a strong hit through the middle from Ugis, securing the set 25 – 15 and giving Ipswich their second 3-0 win of their Essex League campaign.

Ugis Miltināns received MVP for some stunning fast attacking through the middle position and huge blocking.

Ipswich faced a Sunday evening trip to Southend to take on Southend Thunder to get their Essex League campaign underway.

Southend Thunder had already played two and lost two, with both Harlow and Brentwood Bombers beating them, so Ipswich faced a team hungry for a win.

The first set got off to a good start with Chris Watson serving up a 6 point lead. Ugis Miltinans working well with Chris in the middle hitting fast balls. The Ipswich Men continued to out preform Southend throughout the set and comfortably take set 1, 25 – 13.

The second set saw the hosts get off to a much better start and matched Ipswich point for point. This time Rob Negus and Lukas Kundrotas stepping up with serve runs to put Ipswich infront. The second set won 25 – 17.

The third set saw Southend leading through most of the set, Ipswich playing catch-up to keep in the set. The set featured some much longer rallies, cleaver play from Eric Negus at the net and Kev Abbott hitting consistently well through the outside. With the passing improving with every point, Chris Watson made good use of all the attacking options to finish the set 25 – 23.

Ipswich were firing on all cylinders with a 3 – 0 win, setter Chris Watson picking up MVP for linking well with his attacking options. The win sees Ipswich Men rocket up the league table to sit in second position with a game in hand on league leaders Brentwood.

Ipswich will be away to mid-table Stortford Stags on Friday and hungry for a second win. For results and fixtures please see the Men’s Essex League webpage.

Ipswich had a good start to the first set and with Jen Ubasa serving strong managed to get an early 10 point lead 13 – 3. The game carried on point for point until another strong serve run from Iza Karwacka. The first set going to Ipswich 25 – 13.

The second set saw the visitors make a better start leading 5 – 3 to Chelmsford, this time Julia Vidot stepping up with a good serve run to bring the game to 11 – 6 in Ipswich’s favour. Some great link up play between Iza Karwacka (setter) and her two middles Emma Goosey and Otylia Miazga made sure the points kept coming in. The second set going again to Ipswich 25 – 14.

The third set saw a lot more fight from Chelmsford, but some great receiving from Julia Vidot and Everita Sokolova made sure the ladies took the set 25 – 17 and the match 3 – 0.

Jen Ubasa nominated MVP for the match.

Otylia and Iza blocking the attack from Chelmsford whilst Everita and Jen setup the defence.

The morning saw Div1 teams play each other and so far in Lakenheath haven’t dropped a set throughout the whole tournament. Ipswich 1 put up the best fight against them leading through most of the game. The final score of that game 21 – 17 made sure Lakenheaths unbeaten run continued.
Diss also put in a good performance going the morning unbeaten, but picking up second place to Lakenheath on points difference.

League leaders Lakenheath attacking against Ipswich Ravens. Ashton with the block

The afternoon saw teams compete in Div2. Diss’ Dissasters and Stowmarket Stingers winning all of their pool matches to compete in the final against each other. Ipswich Ravens 2 and Suffolk Uni finished second in their pools to compete for 3rd and 4th place.

The playoff matches saw some great volleyball from Suffolk Uni who took the game easily 25 – 12 to finish in 3rd place. The final saw the closest game of the afternoon with Dissasters missing out on the win against Stingers 21 – 25

Ipswich Ladies played their first matches of the season today against Ashcombe Dorking 2 and Maidstone, both teams made the journey to Ipswich’s new home venue Northgate Sports Centre.

Ipswich started the proceedings against visitors Ashcombe Dorking 2, the visitors got off to a strong start and looked a much stronger team. Sets 1 and 2 were both comfortable wins for the visitors.

The 3rd set saw a massive change in the Ipswich team with Iza Karwacka winning a massive 11 serves in a row to get the ladies 11 – 0 infront. The ladies continued to play very well and took the 3rd set 25 – 14.

The 4th set saw a much closer start to the match, but Iza Karwacka again serving up a massive 7 point serve run, the set was won by Ipswich 25 – 12 this time.

The second match between Ashcombe Dorking 2 and and Maidstone finished 3 – 0 to Ashcombe who looked comfortable throughout.

Ipswich Ladies played Maidstone in the 3rd match of the day. A positive start saw Ipswich take the 1st set 25 – 20. Maidstone played very well and showed what they were capable of to take the second set 25 – 18.

Ipswich took both sets 3 and 4 with the same score line 25 – 22, giving them the match 3 sets to 2. Ipswich Julia Vidot picking up MVP from some very strong attacking in the outside position.

Ipswich Volleyball Club hosted the first of 8 indoor volleyball tournaments today at Northgate Sports Centre. The event saw 13 teams (around 80 players) from all over Suffolk attend to compete against each other.

Divisions 1 winners Lakenheath managed to complete the day without a loss and came overall first in the tournament followed by Diss in second place and Ipswich 1 in third place.

Division 2 saw Stow Stingers take first place on points difference to Stow Aces and Dissasters. The Stow Stingers team had several players making their volleyball tournament debut for the club which will make the win even more sweeter for the successful Stingers team.

All current overall standings can be found here and if you would like to enter a team or join a club please email Michelle.

Nenen Ubasa winning points for Stow Aces with strong attacks through the outside